My son is about 7 or 8 years old in this photo above and I could just remember his personality even back then…. He was very strong willed / minded for his age and it was a beautiful season to watch him be 7 or 8 years old “on paper” …..but Naturally and Spiritually he was SOOO MUCH OLDER!! Or should I say wiser….

Even down to video games – if it is not a sports game like baseball, soccer – forget about it – parents who allow their kids to play things like Call of Duty do not understand what they are getting themselves into!!

– but just imagine that if I did not steer him in the right direction of what is right and wrong – who knows how he would have turn out –

The behaviors of kids today are so out of control and it isn’t just the videos games, but the things that they are viewing, the music they listening to etc… the disrespectful behavior to authority is just simply mind boggling.

However, as a parent… you must first even believe in the things that I am speaking of to even understand the point of this post…..

Try Jesus Christ….. let Him come into your heart and speak to you in regards to raising / rearing your children.

Without Christ… THERE IS NO WAY that my son would be the young Christian man that he currently is……for that I certainly am grateful everyday-

My son acts as if ” FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL ” are no longer a big deal for him but that is NOT THE CASE! He tries to become super cool, especially with him going into 6th grade this year- Each parent does things differently but I try to plan!

Maybe is the first day of School in your child’s life ever. Maybe he or she is making a transition to middle school, or you just moved to a different neighborhood or a different city altogether.

Truth is this is a very important day. The way you help them deal with this first day will have an impact not only on the rest of the school year but also will let them know that they can trust you to help solve problems they may meet at their school all year round.

First find out if your school allowed you to have your own tour with your child. The couple of weeks before school starts, teachers start getting ready for the coming year and they also have meetings in the school premises.

The real first day start with a good breakfast, some kids get so nervous they cannot eat so simply offer something they cannot refuse, like their favorite cereal. Last but not least if they are taking the bus give them the big hug and kiss at home or if you are driving them before you get in the car. If they need a hug and or a kiss before they leave your side they would ask one.

You can NEVER be too careful, learn too much or know too much about the places of where your child will be – Keep in mind, it is the year 2013……things are indeed totally different from when YOU were in school – so be more focused!

Well it is that time again and school is coming to a close! I am so GLAD to finally enjoy the summer time FOR ME……… I tell you…the last 8 years of my life has indeed been “interesting” to say the least!

Nonetheless, with my almost 11-year-old son – whew let me tell you…….with him being a boy and with all the up and down moods that he has experienced over the last 6 months – we BOTH need a mini vacation from one another….

To ME… now the summer time does NOT represent all the fun things that I will do with my son during the 3 MONTHS that he is out of school! Two years ago, I started my process called ME and I did not put it into action until last year.

The process has been a tad been rough because as a single mom you do soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for your kids that NORMALLY you always forget about yourself and what you need…dont need.. etc. Well before my son enters into High School, I wanted to start thinking of MYSELF and the things that I desired to start doing.

You hear the slogan saying Happy WIFE…Happy LIFE…Well let me take it a step further and deeper…. I say Happy Mother equals a Happy Child – because parenting is some SERIOUS BUSINESS…if you are in it for the long haul! LOL

As parents….mothers in particular…then ESPECIALLY single parents – it is indeed imperative that we not only FIND time but we MAKE time and TAKE time for ourselves and as my son is counting down the days that he will get out of school and until his birthday………

I am counting down the days that he will be away at camp!!! so I can re- vamp – re -discover …re -build and re -grow the new and improved ME……

Understanding that everything is perfect, because it serves and helps me to walk through life with care and perseverance, full of trust and humor, calmly doing what has to be done, gratefully realizing the truth revealing itself behind appearance, and living securely in the fullness of being.

Positive FeelingAccepting others openly and harmoniously the way they are, learning that I cannot change people but I can pray for them and wait for the answer from Christ, confidently relying on my feelings and feeling worthy to live in abundance, contemplating life without judging and lovingly letting happen what needs to happen.

Positive WantingWanting to learn and wanting to understand, excusing and forgiving, wanting the right thing, listening to what life wants, relinquishing my own wants for God’s desires for my life.

Positive TalkingLearning to express myself clearly, learning to be silent and to listen without giving uninvited advice, being honest in word and action and giving gifts of words, bestowing courage and comfort to others and myself, using words only to help, to thank and to bless.

Positive ActingActing with circumspection and forbearance, being helpful, kind and constructive, remaining considerate and persevering,independent from the expectations of others, learning to give and to take and knowing to do the right thing at the right moment through inner guidance.

Positive RetreatingRetreating regularly into silence, making time for prayer and meditation, surrendering to truth and reality in harmony, and feeling safe and sound in it.

Positive LivingHonoring the spiritual laws of Christ, walking through life carefree and calmly, knowing that all is really not equal but learning that nurturing harmonious relationships and seeing the beauty of all things is important, loving to live, but being ready to leave this life at any time, gratefully and consciously fulfilling God’s Plans every moment of our lives.

Today…lets crave to do better….inspire….but most importantly CHANGE….All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them. We must never be satisfied with what you achieve, because it all pales in comparison with what you are capable of doing in the future! However, in everything that you do, make sure that YOU do it with all of your power , your mind , strength and your soul , you will never go wrong!

Now the cool conversations that I have with my amazing kid!! We talked about Life’s challenges and how they are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are! It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes and Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. Does my son understand… not everything as a whole ” some days ” but overall he does… He is smart and intelligent and wants to do right!

Overall, we both understand that motivation is like food for the brain. You cannot get enough in one sitting. It needs continual and regular top ups.